Thesis Information

Excerpted from the Graduate Handbook, Section K: The Culminating Experience

The culminating experience for a student's graduate program is carefully spelled out
by the California State Education Code, Title 5. Students may choose one culminating
experience from the three, as determined by the particular program. Not all programs
offer all three options.

Certain advisement tips apply equally to all forms of the culminating experience,
and as such, deserve your special attention as graduate coordinator:

Once enrolled in a particular culminating experience and having earned an RP (formerly
SP) grade, students may not switch to an alternative. For example, a student who has
received a semester/term RP grade for units in a thesis may not file a "Program Adjustment
Request" (PAR) to change to a project. However, had this same student not yet enrolled
for units or withdrawn from the university during the semester/term (thus receiving
no RP grade), he or she could file a PAR to change the selection indicated on the
approved "Petition of Advancement to Candidacy" form.

The total number of units assigned for the thesis or the project may not exceed 6, or be less than 2.

Advisers should counsel students that they are expected to be enrolled each semester
while working on their project, examination, or thesis.

Advisers should assure that the culminating experience selected by the student is
appropriate to that student's particular program emphasis, career goals, and ability.

It is imperative that programs and individual committee advisers set early dates for
completion of the exam, thesis, or project. This will ensure sufficient time for completing
the review, grading, and submission of master's degree clearance paperwork by the
graduate coordinator to the Graduate Division by the posted deadline. Students are
counting on the timely posting of their degrees! If the required, signed clearance
forms have not been submitted by the deadlines listed, students' graduation dates
may be delayed or postponed to the following semester or term.

Additionally, for both the thesis and project:

Grades must be submitted on the "Master's Degree Clearance" form. This is the only
acceptable method for submitting these grades; no other grade report is necessary
or possible.

It is important that faculty members meet regularly with the student each term that
the student is enrolled, to analyze that student's progress toward completion of the
thesis/project.

Note: A grade of "RP" is automatically printed on the roster unless faculty feel that
progress toward the degree is not being made, in which case a grade of "I" may be
assigned.

No academic distinction is made between a thesis and a project. Either one is acceptable
as a means of fulfilling the requirements of the master's degree. Coordinators provide
essential guidance and instructions on whether a student should enroll in 298 (project)
or 299 (thesis).

THE THESIS

Catalog Definition

A thesis is the written product of the systematic study of a significant problem.
It clearly identifies the problem, states the major assumptions, explains the significance
of the undertaking, sets forth the sources for and methods of gathering information,
analyzes the data, and offers a conclusion or recommendation. The finished product
must evidence originality, critical and independent thinking, appropriate organization
and format, clarity of purpose, and accurate and thorough documentation. Normally,
an oral defense of the thesis will be required.

Critical and independent thinking should characterize every project. Mere description,
cataloging, compilation, and other superficial procedures are not adequate.

Content Summary

The thesis is a highly structured document resulting from original student research.

The thesis relates to an existing body of theoretical or empirical knowledge in the
field.

Eligibility Criteria

A "Petition of Advancement to Candidacy" form must have been filed with the Division
of Graduate Studies one semester previous to signing up for thesis units in the department.

Paperwork

" Master's Thesis (299) Committee Assignment" (TCA) form. To be filed with the Division of Graduate Studies before or at the time
of the student's first registration for thesis units in the department. Signatures
of all committee members, the graduate coordinator or department chair, and the college/school
dean (if indicated) are required. See Appendix for the recently approved, revised
" Thesis Committee Policy and Procedures."

For a third committee, off-campus committee member, a curriculum vitae or resume,
submitted with the TCA form to the Division of Graduate Studies.

"Human/Animal Subjects Clearance" form, as applicable. To be submitted to the student's
departmental Human/Animal Subjects Clearance committee. Research deemed potentially
at risk must have approval from either the Committee on Protection of Human Subjects
(CPS) or the Animal Care and Use Committee, as appropriate, before the student may
begin the project.

" Master's Degree Clearance" form. To be submitted to the Graduate Division by the
posted deadline. The grade for thesis units is registered on this form by the thesis
chair, on behalf of the committee, and given to the Graduate Coordinator for final
processing (see Graduation section for complete discussion).

Deadlines

Final thesis draft: Approximately seven weeks before last day of classes. (Consult
the Class Schedule, the University Catalog, or the Graduate Studies Web site for exact
dates.)

Publication copy: Date assigned by thesis consultant, after review of final draft.

Procedure

Thesis committees are formed according to guidelines established by the Graduate Committee
of the Academic Senate. The committee consists of three members; the chair and at
least one other committee member are expected to appointed members of the department
of the student's degree program. With requisite expertise, an individual who is not
a member of the department faculty in the student's program may serve as a member,
with approval of the department chair. (See Appendix for the recently approved, revised
" Thesis Committee Policy and Procedures.")

Thesis format must follow the university Guidelines for Thesis Preparation (available from the Thesis Office Web site).

Theses are submitted to the Graduate Division via Blackboard. By submitting their
approval, the committee signifies that the form and content of the thesis meet Title
5 regulations (see Catalog definition, above) as well as program standards.

When approved for quality, format, and style, the graduate dean signs off on the Publication
Copy approval page.

In order for the thesis consultant to grant final thesis clearance, students are required
to have submitted the following:

Receipt from University Cashier showing payment of fees for thesis microfilming and
binding;

Three copies of the laser-printed thesis: one for the department, one for the library,
and one for microfilming. Note: The Print and Copy Center and the Thesis Office will
handle all copying and processing, after fee payment.

In order for the graduate evaluator to register final thesis clearance for the degree,
the final grade for the thesis must have been recorded on the " Master's Degree Clearance"
form.

Advising Tips

Set early internal program deadlines for committee review and approval of theses,
to ensure that students meet university timelines for graduation.

Faculty and staff should advise students to attend a thesis workshop as soon as possible
after registering for thesis units in the department (workshop schedules are announced
at the start of each semester).

Thesis support is available from the Thesis Office in the Division of Graduate Studies.
A thesis typist/formatter list is available upon request; and a thesis template is
offered on the Web site; and class and group lectures may be arranged by calling the
thesis consultant (278-2448).

Students should inform the thesis consultant about their plans for the semester/term
of their thesis submission. Out-of-town students should contact the thesis consultant
before leaving campus, for advice on the best way to handle these processes from a
distance.

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